Maldives has been exhibited at the NATAS holiday expo in Singapore.

During the exhibition being held from August Friday to Sunday, the Maldives delegation is headed by Thoyyib Mohamed, Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). Five industry partners have co-exhibited with MMPRC.

“We are taking part in the NATAS holiday expo for the first time this year to promote Maldives as the most preferred destination for the ASEAN market. As the exhibition provides an ideal platform to market and network with ASEAN industry top travel trade partners and consumers, we believe it is a great opportunity to attract travellers from the ASEA market,” A statement issued by MMPRC read.

The Maldives stand, located at hall five, is built in a 54 sqm space and showcases the identity of the Maldives.

During the three-day exhibition, several activities are being held at the stand to attract visitors. They include local food tasting, experiencing the Maldives’ natural beauty through virtual reality, and entertainment by local music band Clio.

NATAS travel fair, launched in 1987, is a biannual affair that features different tourism products with best travel deals for the market. With some 2.4 million visitors attending the fair each year, it is one of the most popular travel fairs amongst Singaporeans.

Despite a slight decline in tourist arrivals to the Maldives from Singapore last year, the number of Singaporean visitors has increased in the first six months of this year. Official figures show that 7,067 Singaporeans visited the Maldives during the January-June period — a 17.7 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines has announced plans to deploy its new 787-10 Dreamliner on its Maldives service.

This new Dreamliner service to the Maldives by Singapore Airlines follows the signing of an open skies agreement between the Maldives and Singapore last month. With the updated Air Services Agreement signed during Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s state visit to Singapore in June, airlines of the Maldives and Singapore will be able to operate as many passenger flights or cargo services as they want between and beyond both countries.